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Kansas State University’s celebration of National Distance Learning Week, November 11-15, is more than an annual event. It’s an opportunity for K-State distance education students — 2,300 and counting — to participate in a campus celebration from anywhere in the world.

National Distance Learning Week is sponsored by the United States Distance Learning Association and helps create awareness about distance learning in campus and local communities. This year, the university’s Division of Continuing Education is coordinating new events to bring information to distance students as well as on-campus students who utilize online courses on their path to degree completion.

An informational booth will be in the K-State Student Union from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12, with people available to answer questions about Kansas State University’s online and accelerated course options.

“Students are often aware that we have some online courses at K-State, but do not realize just how many courses and programs we have or that they can take online courses, too,” said Jason Maseberg-Tomlinson, director of student and faculty services, Division of Continuing Education.

A scheduled online video chat session about Kansas State University distance education is set for 3-5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 14. This event gives both current and prospective students a chance to connect with distance student services staff for resources and information.

“We’re trying to connect with students in new ways,” Maseberg-Tomlinson said. “Since last year’s distance learning week celebration, we’ve implemented an online chat and a LinkedIn presence to help connect distance students to K-State and also to professional networks. We hope to utilize these new methods of communication for our online community of students, staff and faculty.”

This year’s weeklong event includes several activities related to university history and tradition. Local businesses, such as Varney’s Bookstore, have donated prizes for National Distance Learning Week events, including a $150 grand prize for a distance learning essay contest. Other activities include social media photo and video contests, a virtual scavenger hunt and more.

“For the last two decades, distance students have been taking online courses through Kansas State University, and we want to celebrate their part in campus history,” Maseberg-Tomlinson said.

Students completing undergraduate or graduate programs online through Kansas State University comprise approximately 10 percent of the student body. Maseberg-Tomlinson says many of these students come from long lines of Wildcat fans and alumni, serving as proud recruiters across the country.

“Distance students also want to share their enthusiasm and support for the university,” Maseberg-Tomlinson said. “Through National Distance Learning Week, we can offer online seats to these events that enhance their academic careers at K-State.”